Last Sunday I told the Church at the service that Kay & I would be concluding our ministry at Hampstead Gardens in early December this year after nearly 16 years. This Church has been amazingly generous and patient to have us as part of the Church leadership over these years. Thanks to you all for your support for us as we have ministered amongst you. I have believed that the main thing I needed to do in leadership is to not run things but rather to help you to find your opportunities for ministry according to your giftedness. I have appreciated all of you. Thank you so much. I am very thankful to those who mentored me in the early years especially people like Gil Cann and Max Thompson. They helped me to be a pastor who is a facilitator rather than someone who did and led everything. So thank you for the privilege of being with you as your pastor. So, yes, I am leaving soon.
However, there are some encouraging words of much greater importance than my words and they are of course spoken by Jesus.
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. Revelation 22:20-21, ESV.
What an incredible promise. Yes, Jesus is coming soon! However, Jesus doesn’t leave us in the dark as we wait for Him to come. Peter’s message on the Day of Pentecost is still relevant to us today.
“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” Acts 2:38-39, ESV.
The verses at the end of the Book of Matthew give us the mission we all have. We are to be disciplers.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20, ESV.
Yes, Jesus is coming soon!